Simon Jordan shares what there’s reason to worry about Leeds stadium development
Leeds United are wasting no time in preparing for life in the Premier League.
Daniel Farke’s men secured their automatic promotion to the top flight on Easter Monday and are now preparing to battle it out with Burnley to come out as champions.
Regardless of whether they finish first or second in the league, all attention at Elland Road will turn to next season with the hopes of retaining a position in the top flight.
Simon Jordan reacts to Elland Road developments
Farke was given the task of taking the Whites back to the Premier League and on the second time of asking, he has achieved just that.
However, the 49ers have their eyes on the long-term sustainability of Leeds as a top side and know that there is work to be done both on and off the pitch.
With that in mind, it was announced that Leeds have intentions to upgrade Elland Road to improve the facilities and increase the capacity inside the stadium.
The hope is that this will aid the West Yorkshire outfit as they look to retain their position in the Premier League and then push further up the table, similar to the way other sides have done.
Speaking live on talkSPORT (30 April, 11:42am), Simon Jordan mooted the problems that may come Leeds’ way as a result of development, highlighting what is important to retain as he said: “It may fall foul to the same issues that other clubs have, that you’ve got a club that’s now back in the Premier League, that will be part of the tourism mentality.
“But I always felt, having been an owner that went round most the stadiums, all the significant ones in terms of being in the Premier League and the Championship, the one that always stood out for me, as the most intimidating atmosphere-wise was Leeds. I don’t know why.
“At the time we played them they weren’t in good nick, Dennis Wise was managing them which always has it’s challenges when Dennis is involved in something and they were in a league that was way beneath where you’d think Leeds were going to be in League One. Yet you still got this feeling, I went up to watch them when [Neil] Warnock was managing them, it’s a big football club.
“Whether it’s a jewel in the crown of English football is a debate, but it’s certainly a big, big football club and the nature of that stadium going to 56,000 with a fanbase that can probably fill it quite easily and probably has waiting lists to fill it.”
Elland Road development should aid Leeds United
Jordan makes a fair point. When you look at some of the Premier League sides that are upgrading their stadiums and the lack of atmosphere that exists afterwards is a worry.
One of Leeds’ strengths is their fanbase and, as the former Crystal Palace chairman points out, it does make visiting sides feel intimidated, so that is not something that they want to lose.
However, one of the key factors of this development is the fact that it is planning to expand what is already in place rather than change the site of the stadium, something which will be key.
In addition to this, although the capacity would be increased significantly, it would still be fairly modest in comparison to some of the other stadiums in the Premier League and the Whites know that they will be able to fill it based on the waiting list they already have of supporters who want season tickets.
If the 49ers are going to help Leeds become successful for a longer period and regain a position as one of the best sides in English football, this could be just what is needed to aid that.